Most hardwood lumber produced in this country is graded using the rules developed and maintained by the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA). There are eight hardwood lumber grades in widespread use today. FAS is the highest and No. 3B Common is the lowest. In short, the higher grades of lumber have more large clear area than the lower grades. The basic concept of grading is that the grade of all lumber is determined from the poorest face or side of the lumber, with a few cases considering the better face as well. Lumber thickness (4/4, 6/4, etc.) is not considered when grading hardwood; the grades are based on the two faces alone.

FAS - First And Seconds is the hardwood grade which includes the superior "Furniture Grade" hardwoods. The grade is typically free of defects, but some defects are allowed. It must be 83% clear or clearer on the poorest side. Clearness is measured in large rectangular areas called cuttings. FAS, which was years ago, short-hand for the grade of "First and Seconds," which in turn originated from a combination of the very old grade of "Firsts" and the grade of "Seconds," is the highest grade of hardwood lumber.

Sel & Btr - Select and Better is the top furniture grade, containing the NHLA grades of Selects and First and Seconds. The lumber will range from clear to pieces which will yield just over 80% clear on the good face. Widths must be 4" and wider and lengths 6' and longer, but most of the lumber will be 6" and wider and 8 to 16 feet long.

No. 1 Com - No. 1 Common (often called Common or just No. 1) is the standard furniture grade lumber, and provides a good selection of long, medium length, and short cuttings at a reasonable price. This is the middle grade in hardwoods. It contains more bark and knots than the top grade, but each board is two-thirds or more usable. For small projects or when a variety of sizes are to be cut, No. 1 Common is more economical. Widths must be 3" and wider and lengths 4' and longer.

No. 2 Com - No. 2 Common (often just called No. 2) which is 50% clear has become the standard grade for cabinets, millwork, and other uses requiring medium to short cuttings. Often current prices favor using No. 2 Common instead of No. 1 common for furniture, even though yields are lower with No. 2.This is the lowest grade of hardwoods that is normally kiln dried and sold for furniture and cabinet making. Each board must be one-half or more usable. Widths must be 3" and wider and lengths 4' and longer.

Sapwood: Lumber that comes from the outside or the live part of the tree.
Heartwood: Lumber that comes from the inside or dead part of the tree.
White: Lumber sorted for the white sapwood - usually Hard or Soft Maple.
Unselected: Lumber that has a mix of heartwood and sapwood.
Brown: Lumber that has been sorted for heartwood - usually Hard or Soft Maple.
Imported: Lumber that doesn't grow in the United States.
Domestic: Lumber that grows in the United States.
Furniture Grade: Knotty White Pine with solid sound tight knots.

Quarter Measure: Lumber size is often referred to as 4/4 (pronounced four-quarter), 5/4, 6/4, etc. This is the thickness of the lumber when it is first sawn, and in its rough size. The size increases by 1/4" increments. 5/4 lumber measures one and one-quarter inches. When surfaced, the lumber is dressed to 1", and 4/4 would be dressed to 3/4".

Sawing Methods
Hardwood logs become lumber by one of several sawing methods. Each gives hardwood boards a distinct grain pattern, along with performance characteristics that must be considered when specifying. Sawing methods are plain sawing, quarter sawing and rift sawing.

Flat-Sawn Lumber
Flat sawing means that the grain of the wood runs horizontal after sawing.

Plain-Sawn Lumber
Plain-sawn hardwood boards are produced by cutting tangentially to a tree's growth rings, creating the familiar "flame-shaped" or "cathedral" grain found in most hardwood flooring and millwork. This method also produces the most lumber from each log, making plain-sawn lumber a cost-effective design choice.

Quarter-Sawn Lumber
Quarter sawing means cutting a log radially (90-degree angle) to the growth rings to produce "vertical" graining. This method yields fewer and narrower boards per log than plain sawing, boosting their cost significantly. Quarter-sawn boards are popular for decorative applications such as cabinet faces or wainscoting.

Rift-Sawn Lumber
Rift sawing at a 30-degree or greater angle to the growth rings produces narrow boards with accentuated vertical or "straight" grain patterns. Rift-sawn boards are often favored for fine furniture and other applications where matching grain is important. This type of lumber is available in limited quantities and species.

To calculate a "Board Foot" measure (/BF or Bd. Ft.) - use the following formula and dimensions of the lumber in the rough: